Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Knitting ADHD is kicking into high gear. I hurried to make progress on two socks for Trish's trunk show this weekend. Before that I was trying to finish the blue Wonderful Wallaby for someone's birthday. Then, it was time already for the second Kyler's Kardigan class and I hadn't really done my homework. Gee. I wonder why not?!

But I managed to get enough progress made by this morning to be ready for the second class. We were supposed to have the sleeves done and ready to start the body of the sweater. Lucky for me I own multiple sets of Turbo Addis. I found two US Size 7 40" needles and was able to pick up the sleeves on both sides of the sweater using the Magic Loop method. Once I got the sleeves started, I was able to progress on the body with the rest of the class.

I've decided that calling this a Wonderful Wallaby Cardigan is a misnomer. Nothing about the Wallaby's wonderfulness is brought to this new pattern. I will admit great disappointment as I expected this to pretty much be a knit-all-in-one-piece sweater like the Wallaby. But it's not. In fact, almost every aspect of it is different than the Wallaby. So... going forward, it will be referred to only as the Kyler's Kardigan.

Don't get me wrong. Kyler's Kardigan is a nifty little pattern in its own right. But I know the Wonderful Wallaby and this is no Wonderful Wallaby, Mr. Quayle.

OK - I'm already thinking about tinkering with the pattern to make it more user friendly. In fact, I've already altered it by knitting the sleeves in the round rather than flat. Why seam something if you don't have to? Right? Anyway, the next class is in two weeks. I wonder how many distractions will attack me before then. Maybe Kyler's Kardigan #2 and #3. Who knows?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Last night was our first meeting for Scouts. We kicked off the season with a Court of Honor (awards ceremony) to present all the Scouts with the merit badges and awards they earned over the summer. It was great to see everyone again and see how much they've grown over the summer. My favorite part is having both my boys in the Troop this year.

How adorable is it to see both their merit badge sashes side-by-side?

Another inspiration is that 40% of our Troop is attending the 2010 Jamboree next summer at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Wow - 40 per cent. How cool is that?

Monday, September 14, 2009

I went back to Knitting Central yesterday to show Trish the difference a day makes and show off my Wild Woman Socks in the new yarn choices. She loved 'em.

And since I was there, I picked up some lovely handspun cashmere in a blue/violet tone with some lovely Lobster Pot cashmere in a lavender hue to knit a fair isle hat for me. It will be so warm and comfy that you might actually see me sporting it on a Boy Scout campout this winter. I know, it seems like an oxymoron to wear cashmere on a campout, but if ever there were a need to be warm, that would be the time.

Thanks Trish. I'm so glad you came to Westport for the weekend. I can't wait to see what you create next for Tanglewood Fiber Creations. Bon voyage!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

I couldn't resist. I immediately cast on for a second pair of Wild Woman Socks. This time I used the solid Spud & Chloe in Calypso as the background color to accent the Tanglewood Fiber Creations Katie's Painted Hills handspun. All I can say is "Wow!"

Look at the difference from the second attempt on the left and the original attempt on the right. Wow! I will rip out the Newport Rocks on the right and use one of the solids - either the Spud & Chloe orangey "clementine" or the Blue Sky Alpaca Silk gold brown. I want both of these socks to really pop so everyone will say "Wow", too.

Trish is having her trunk show again today at Knitting Central, so there's still time for you to pop in today from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. and see what other goodies she has.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I realized that my Wild Woman Socks weren't providing enough contrast between the two yarns to see the design. Trish came to the rescue by recommending that I pair one of her sock weight yarns with a commercial solid color. That was just the ticket. I purchased three more skeins of Trish's gorgeous yarn and paired with with some Spud and Chloe in a light aquamarine blue. Then I picked up a golden tan and a pumpkin orange to use as contrast yarn for the Merino/Silk Tanglewood Fiber Creations I bought at the Sock Summit and started to knit yesterday.

Now I can't wait to knit up a bit of the Wild Woman Sock in these new combos. Such fun. Such bliss.

Trish of Tanglewood Fiber Creations is coming to Knitting Central today and tomorrow. You'll remember Trish from my recent trip to Portland, OR and the Sock Summit. She mentioned that if I bring something I've knit with my Tanglewood purchase to her Trunk Show, I'll get a discount on my next purchase. So last night, I was busy casting on for the Wild Woman Socks (in the link above). I did pretty well for one evening's knitting. I might even finish an entire sock before this morning's visit to Knitting Central.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Did you see that Typepad has changed the reply to comments? Now you have the option to either post your response directly to the comments on your blog or respond privately via email to the commenter. Whew! It's a step in the right direction.

NEW! More options for replying to comments via email:

To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below.

To reply publically on your blog, reply to this email.

It's not perfect since the comments doesn't show up in the email thread (and you sort of have to guess at what you originally commented...) but at least we have a private or public option.

OK, you all agree that was a pretty lame excuse to go to my LYS - Knitting Central. But since I was there, I touched the lovely new shipment of Crystal Palace Mini Mochi - a delectable Merino Wool with Nylon. How could I resist? Me, of little zero willpower.

There are also some amazing free sock patterns for the Mini Mochi yarn available HERE. I don't know what I'll make with this yarn (or, quite honestly, when I'll have the time to actually knit more socks) but there you have it.

Oh, and YES, I did remember to actually pick up the 24" Turbo Addis in a US Size 7 while I was at my LYS. So today I'll string the wayward Wallaby back on the needles and correctly attach the sleeves to the body and knit the yoke and hood.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Thanks for all your kind words of support and encouragement yesterday. You were right. It was worse just thinking about the fact that I had to rip out the blue Wonderful Wallaby than actually doing it. This morning, with a cup of fresh coffee in hand, I dug somewhere deep inside and plucked the courage to RIP nearly half the sweater.

Honestly, once I put this sweater back on the needles, it will only take me 1-2 days to finish it. Not bad. Really. Not bad at all. I'm glad I frogged it. It was the right decision, no matter how afraid I was of that RRRiiiiippppping sound.

P.S. Now where, oh where, did I put my 24" long US 7 Turbo Addis? Looks like I'll have to stop by my favorite LYS this morning.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Today there will be no knitting pictures. In fact, since I have an onerous task still in front of me, one that is not for the feint of heart, I believe I will provide you with some cute pictures of Wilma the Wonder Dog (or shall I say the Wilma the Wild and Wacky Dog?) while I pluck up the courage to actually rip back HALF the blue Wonderful Wallaby.

There. That was much easier than ripping out my hard work. And Wilma is always so willing to oblige.